The LIFT House (Low-Income Floodproof Technology) is a prototype developed in Dhaka, Bangladesh to address the urgent need for resilient housing in flood-prone communities. Designed for low-income residents living in informal settlements, the project demonstrates how safe, sustainable housing can be achieved using local materials, indigenous building techniques, and self-sufficient infrastructure.

The house is designed as an amphibious structure that responds to rising flood waters. Two bamboo housing units sit on buoyant foundations that allow the buildings to float during floods and gently return to the ground once water levels recede. This approach provides a cost-effective alternative to permanent elevation while maintaining stability and safety during extreme weather events.

A central service spine constructed from brick and concrete anchors the floating units while providing essential infrastructure for the home. The project integrates solar power, natural ventilation, rainwater harvesting, and composting toilets, allowing the house to operate independently from the city’s strained service systems.

By combining resilient design strategies with locally available materials and construction skills, the LIFT House presents an innovative model for sustainable housing in vulnerable environments. The project has received multiple international design awards and has been widely published across the globe as a pioneering example of climate-responsive architecture.

‍